KARACHI: National team manager Talat Ali has stated that the upcoming tour of West Indies will be controversy-free following the outbreak of the spot-fixing during the recent Pakistan Super League.

Speaking to Dawn before departure of the Sarfraz Ahmed-led T20 squad late on Tuesday, the former Test opener said the boys are keen to move on from the controversy and focus on cricket.

“As we all know the inquiry into the [spot-fixing] scandal has started. At this point in time, we must focus on the coming fixtures, particularly the three ODIs. We are going [to the West Indies] with clarity in the mind that together our goal is to not just perform well but Insha’Allah win the series,” the 66-year-old, who has started his second tenure as team manager following a stint between 2006 and 2008, said.

“We had a strenuous preparatory camp in Lahore since the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made it mandatory that the level [of fitness] needed to be improved at any cost and no one from now onwards with fitness issues will be selected. Physically if you are among the fittest lot only then you could compete with the best teams.”

Talat remained optimistic there won’t be problems like disciplinary issues because of the zero-tolerance policy adopted by the PCB.

“I’m a strict disciplinarian and will see to it that there are issues as regards players misbehaving or bringing the game into dispute. Our primary target is to focus on the game. But it does not mean they won’t enjoy touring as long as they remain great ambassadors of Pakistan cricket.

“Both PCB chairman [Shaharyar M. Khan] and Najam Sethi [chief of PCB executive committee] held exclusive meetings in this regard with the players and clearly told them where they stood. So I feel this will, Insha’Allah, be a great trip for the boys. The tour to New Zealand and Australia [when Talat’s predecessor Wasim Bari was the team manager] also went smoothly [discipline wise] despite poor [on-field] results.

“The selectors have done a wonderful job in picking a nice blend of youth and experience. The PSL was great in the sense that it provided some very talented youngsters and Shadab Khan is one of them.”

Talat singled out Sarfraz for special praise and said that the wicket-keeper-batsman has got a very bright future as captain of Pakistan.

“The appointment of Sarfraz is a great sign for Pakistan future. He is a very proactive captain who does not fear the opponents and is a fierce competitor on the field. Moreover, he is tough on discipline. I saw him talk to his players during the camp and was very, very impressed at the way he conducted the session,” Talat revealed. “Mark my word, Sarfraz really means business and from what I have already observed, he is the ideal man to lead Pakistan. The PCB is right behind its captain and wants him to take Pakistan cricket forward. The coming series in the West Indies and the ICC Champions Trophy will be a big test not just for Pakistan but for Sarfraz as well.

“But I’m positive Sarfraz has everything you need in a national captain. I was even very impressed even when I saw him for the first time as a youngster during the one-day series on the 2007 tour of India. I can foresee him leading Pakistan for the next five to six years.”

Talat also had a word of praise for head coach Mickey Arthur.

“I think he is very committed about his job. He is a good communicator and skill-wise he is thoroughly efficient. The support team working with Mickey is also very good. Steve Rixon was simply brilliant as fielding coach during the camp in Lahore. So we have a good combination on that front as well.

“I had the unique experience of working with three foreign head coaches. During my first tenure as team manager, I had developed an excellent rapport with Bob Woolmer, who unfortunately died during the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. And then Geoff Lawson came along and guided Pakistan to the final of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa later that year. Now we have Mickey Arthur.

“The coming months are hugely important for Pakistan. After the West Indies tour we are going straight to England where we will be having a conditioning camp for the Champions Trophy. Sarfraz and Mickey will be working in tandem to get the strongest possible XI taking the field. But I want everyone [in the squad] to play his role to make Pakistan a side that other teams should fear,” Talat concluded.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2017